Aspects of a Home, Buyers Shouldn't Overlook

After moving in, buyers will discover a lot about their new home—but they may wish they had paid closer attention to some items before signing the sale contract. Help your clients avoid regrets by guiding them to assess a property carefully before purchasing it. Realtor.com® advises giving particular consideration to these areas:

Nighttime atmosphere. Advise your clients to view a home at different times of the day and night. “A community can change drastically when everyone is home from work and school,” says Aaron Norris of the Norris Group in Riverside, Calif. For example, Norris says he learned after purchasing his own home that college students pack into nearby houses and party on the weekends.

The commute. Buyers should test the morning and evening drive between their potential home and work. Does traffic make it difficult for them to get to work on time? Your clients should know whether the location of their home will require them to leave earlier in the morning.

Homeowners association rules. If the home your client wants to buy falls under a homeowners association, encourage them to review a copy of the bylaws. The association’s conditions, covenants, and restrictions describe regulations around what homeowners can do with their property. You’ll also learn what neighbors are allowed to do—in case, for example, your client is uncomfortable living next to a home that is being rented out.

The need for specialty inspections. The home may contain items that need to be assessed by specialists who go beyond a general inspection. For example, if the property contains a septic system, well, or solar panels, your buyer may want a special evaluation.